On February 25, 2026, the K-pop industry witnessed a dramatic and unexpected turn as Min Hee-jin, the former CEO of ADORE and now head of OK Records, announced her intention to forgo a staggering 25.6 billion KRW (about $19 million USD) awarded to her in a high-profile legal battle with entertainment giant HYBE. Instead, Min called for an immediate end to all ongoing civil and criminal litigation between herself, HYBE, and related parties—a move that sent ripples through the K-pop world and beyond.
Standing before a packed press conference at the Kyowon Challenge Hall in Seoul, Min Hee-jin addressed the media with a calm resolve. "Today, I am here to announce my decision to exchange the 25.6 billion KRW I won in court for something I value even more," she declared, according to Yonhap News. Her proposal: HYBE and all involved should halt every lawsuit and dispute currently underway, not only between the companies but also those affecting NewJeans members, external partners, ADORE staff, and even fans.
For those who have followed the saga, the stakes could not be higher. On February 12, 2026, the Seoul Central District Court had ruled in Min's favor, ordering HYBE to pay her 25.5 billion KRW as part of a stock purchase claim. The court also awarded significant sums to other former ADORE executives. However, HYBE promptly appealed, and just days before Min's press conference, the court granted HYBE's request to stay enforcement, suspending payment until the appeals process concludes, as reported by News1 and YTN.
Min's press conference, lasting less than ten minutes and held without a Q&A session, was as much a plea for peace as it was a statement of intent. "The most urgent reason for my decision is the NewJeans members," she explained. "I can no longer bear to see the five members, who should be happily on stage, forced to stand in court instead. To create good culture, our hearts cannot be torn apart." Her words echoed across multiple outlets, including ZDNet Korea and Munhwa Ilbo, underscoring her core message: the well-being of artists must come before profit or pride.
Min’s offer was sweeping. She asked HYBE not just to end lawsuits against her, but to terminate all ongoing legal actions involving NewJeans, external partners, former ADORE employees, and even fan communities. "All these disputes must be resolved so that artists, their families, and fandoms are not subjected to further unnecessary turmoil," she insisted. Her proposal, she said, was about restoring a healthy K-pop ecosystem and ensuring artists could "shine freely."
The backstory to this moment is complex and fraught. The legal battle began with accusations of management rights usurpation and tampering—serious charges in the world of K-pop business. Yet, as Min pointed out in her remarks, "The court clarified that the provocative frames of 'management rights usurpation' and 'tampering' were baseless." She added, "My concerns about creative ethics were recognized as legitimate managerial decisions." For Min, the legal victory brought some solace after what she described as "a long tunnel"—two years of wounds now partially healed by the court's acknowledgment of her position.
Still, the victory was bittersweet. With HYBE’s appeal and the stay of enforcement, the prospect of a protracted legal war loomed. Instead of continuing the fight, Min chose a different path. "To most people, 25.6 billion KRW is a fortune they could never dream of in a lifetime," she said. "But there are values I desire much more than this large sum." Her message to HYBE and its chairman, Bang Si-hyuk, was clear: "Let’s meet not in court but on creative grounds. Choosing harmony over conflict is the wisest management decision for shareholders and fans alike."
Min’s press conference was not just about ending conflict—it was also about new beginnings. She officially announced her transition from "former ADORE CEO" to "OK Records CEO," revealing plans to nurture new K-pop artists and launch a fresh boy group through auditions. "From now on, I will walk a new path as the head of OK Records and devote all my energy to fostering new K-pop talent and innovative business directions," she stated, as reported by ZDNet Korea and YTN.
Her appeal to HYBE was not only for herself but for the entire K-pop industry. "I hope my sincerity today becomes a turning point for the whole K-pop industry to breathe healthily again," she said. She further expressed her desire for this to be the last exhausting press conference, promising to focus on creativity rather than legal disputes. "I hope there will be no more wasteful press conferences. I will meet you not in press rooms or courtrooms, but on the creative stage, doing what I do best."
For its part, HYBE declined to issue an official statement in response to Min’s proposal, according to ZDNet Korea. The company’s silence left industry watchers speculating about whether this could truly mark the end of one of K-pop’s most bitter legal battles—or if the fight would quietly continue behind closed doors.
Min’s decision to forgo such a significant sum in pursuit of peace and creative freedom is rare in the high-stakes world of entertainment business. Her insistence that "256 billion KRW is not greater than the value of a healthy K-pop ecosystem and the peaceful daily lives of artists" resonated with many fans, who have watched the dispute with growing concern for NewJeans and their future. Her call for an environment where all five members can "freely pursue their dreams" was both a challenge and an invitation to HYBE and the industry at large.
As the dust settles, the K-pop world waits to see if Min Hee-jin’s bold move will indeed usher in a new era of harmony and creativity—or if old wounds will take longer to heal. For now, her words stand as a reminder that, sometimes, the values that matter most can’t be measured in won or dollars, but in the freedom and happiness of those who bring music to life.